I'm not sure I can say that I "learned" to stand up paddle board but I'm going to put "attempt". A few weeks back 20 crazy girls gathered in Santa Barbara to celebrate our friend C and her upcoming marriage. While in Santa Barbara we had a beach day looking out at the blue Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. For activities we rented a few kayaks and stand up paddle boards to go out on. I attempted but the paddle board ended up winning. The ocean wasn't calm with some waves but I don't think I can blame my lack of luck/talent on that. I seemed to have quite the sea legs that would shake each time I tried to stand and knocked me in the water. I did enjoy knee paddle boarding though...
The one interesting thing I learned from all of this is that when someone says SUP they aren't trying to be cool in 7th grade and saying what's up, but rather it means Stand Up Paddle boarding. There you have it the new lingo the cool kids use.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
New State- Tennessee- #7
I decided to add visiting 4 new states to my list as there are so many amazing places to explore in our backyards without getting on a plane with a passport. Obviously that wasn't the case as I took an incredible vacation to Panama and Ecuador with my family including the Galapagos. With a big trip like this and an upcoming trip to a new area (for me) of Mexico I've decided that New Countries will be counted as states since after all of this travel I need to save up before taking off again.
Despite the international vacations the past year I have been able to visit a new state thanks to work. Nashville, Tennessee has been on my list of places to see for a long time. Unfortunately, with flight delays due to fog out of Oakland (yes, Oakland not San Francisco) I only ended up having one night and two full days in conference rooms which left no time to explore. The little taste of Nashville I got that one night was great. I spent less than 48 hours but I know I'll be back to explore and experience the city in the near future. Up next is another work trip to another new state... New Orleans, Louisiana in October.
Despite the international vacations the past year I have been able to visit a new state thanks to work. Nashville, Tennessee has been on my list of places to see for a long time. Unfortunately, with flight delays due to fog out of Oakland (yes, Oakland not San Francisco) I only ended up having one night and two full days in conference rooms which left no time to explore. The little taste of Nashville I got that one night was great. I spent less than 48 hours but I know I'll be back to explore and experience the city in the near future. Up next is another work trip to another new state... New Orleans, Louisiana in October.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Some perspective on the Big 3-0
Since I am minutes away from turning 30 my mind is obviously doing a lot of thinking of what this means. It is interesting how prospectives can easily change based upon situations we are in. If you asked me 20, 10, 5, or even 3 years ago I likely had a different idea of where I thought I would be in my life when I turned 30. I'm sure many of you were certain I would be living somewhere in suburbia with a white picket fence too. In the end that isn't the life I have created for myself, and sure I could have done some things differently, but at the end of the day I don't have regrets because I have become a confident more aware person.
I'm proud of the chance I took to take a huge step outside of my comfort zone to quit my job and travel to unknown countries by myself. The 26 year old I thought I was going to be would have never thought to have done something this "dangerous/risky/crazy". Thanks to this incredible experience I gained confidence, independence, and awareness I would have likely never developed. I would have never thought that at 27 I would have accepted a job that required almost weekly travel and to be sales forward. I knew that it would be a challenge for multiple reasons but also great career growth. Because of this experience I continue to become confident and independent in growing a career as a business professional. I enjoy feeling successful and knowing that I can support myself. There are numerous other decisions and chances I have taken; some big and some small.
My life may be different; but I'm a better person for who I have become. In looking back on these 30 years I am thankful for all that I have learned and gained from taking chances I would have never thought of. No doubt I have had some incredible opportunities and I'm glad I have woken up and taken advantage and appreciated them. Here is to a wonderful first year in my 30s filled with taking chances that I'm confident will payoff in great dividends.
Lesson: Take chances and recognize that there is not a certain path or way that things are supposed to go. Remember to do what is best for you personally, not what others think.
I'm proud of the chance I took to take a huge step outside of my comfort zone to quit my job and travel to unknown countries by myself. The 26 year old I thought I was going to be would have never thought to have done something this "dangerous/risky/crazy". Thanks to this incredible experience I gained confidence, independence, and awareness I would have likely never developed. I would have never thought that at 27 I would have accepted a job that required almost weekly travel and to be sales forward. I knew that it would be a challenge for multiple reasons but also great career growth. Because of this experience I continue to become confident and independent in growing a career as a business professional. I enjoy feeling successful and knowing that I can support myself. There are numerous other decisions and chances I have taken; some big and some small.
My life may be different; but I'm a better person for who I have become. In looking back on these 30 years I am thankful for all that I have learned and gained from taking chances I would have never thought of. No doubt I have had some incredible opportunities and I'm glad I have woken up and taken advantage and appreciated them. Here is to a wonderful first year in my 30s filled with taking chances that I'm confident will payoff in great dividends.
Lesson: Take chances and recognize that there is not a certain path or way that things are supposed to go. Remember to do what is best for you personally, not what others think.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Galapagos
Don't worry pictures and stories from the Galapagos will be coming... With over 2,400 pictures it is taking some time to make my way through them. The stories are endless so I'll try to pick a few and give everyone an idea of the Galapagos, since it was a trip of a lifetime and challenging to get it.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Foggy Flight Delays
With all my travels I've gotten used to flight delays due to fog. This morning I'm not sure if I'm in Quito or San Francisco. Upon waking up at 3:50am to leave Hacienda Cusin by 4:15 we arrived at the new Quito airport at 5:30 in the pitch of dark for our 8am flight.
The new Quito airport has only been opened for 2 weeks but at 9,200 feet and situated in a small valley of huge mountains, it is easy for the fog to get socked in, and guess what have flight delays. Not sure if the old airport had delays but hopefully they learned something from SFO and developed this new airport with runways that are separate from each other. We don't need multiple airports becoming notorious for delays due to fog.
The new Quito airport has only been opened for 2 weeks but at 9,200 feet and situated in a small valley of huge mountains, it is easy for the fog to get socked in, and guess what have flight delays. Not sure if the old airport had delays but hopefully they learned something from SFO and developed this new airport with runways that are separate from each other. We don't need multiple airports becoming notorious for delays due to fog.
Friday, March 1, 2013
El Mitad del Mundo- Ecuador
Anyone have any ideas on how life changing the stop along the Pan American highway is to see the equator line? In short it is probably one of the more underwhelming experiences as it is marked by a small globe with a brick line. As much as the landmark wasn't life changing the idea of being smack dab on the equator halfway between the north and the south was incredible. Aside from Australia all of my travels have been spent in the northern hemisphere so who knows maybe more travel in the south is to come.
Vasco Vieja- Panama City
I've never been to Miami but many people compare Panama City to it. The waterfront is full of new construction condo skyrises, of course with Mr. Trump owning the largest at over 70 stories. It is a modern city with the influence of the United States control of the canal, yet it keeps its roots as a colonial Latin America city.
During a tour of Vasco Vieja we wandered through the Plaza Mayor and around the old city wall. This neighborhood is a UNESCO heritage site so currently you see a mixture of old buildings with graffiti, no windows and falling apart and next door might be a recently restored building that looks like it would be on a quaint cobblestone road in Europe.
A highlight of the tour was visiting the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores- Palacio Bolivar which is equivalent to our state department. The President of Costa Rica was present as they were having meetings to discuss security on their border. We then were given a brief tour (something our guide had never had in his 4 years) of the building and upon signing a book that only VIPs and foreign politicians sign (Biden recently signed) we were brought into a room to see a replica of the gold sword of Bolivar. He was given this sword for leading Panama to independence.
What a special day exploring the Vasco Viejo- historical old town of Panama City.
During a tour of Vasco Vieja we wandered through the Plaza Mayor and around the old city wall. This neighborhood is a UNESCO heritage site so currently you see a mixture of old buildings with graffiti, no windows and falling apart and next door might be a recently restored building that looks like it would be on a quaint cobblestone road in Europe.
A highlight of the tour was visiting the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores- Palacio Bolivar which is equivalent to our state department. The President of Costa Rica was present as they were having meetings to discuss security on their border. We then were given a brief tour (something our guide had never had in his 4 years) of the building and upon signing a book that only VIPs and foreign politicians sign (Biden recently signed) we were brought into a room to see a replica of the gold sword of Bolivar. He was given this sword for leading Panama to independence.
What a special day exploring the Vasco Viejo- historical old town of Panama City.
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